The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

“Hearing this, Kacha said, ’I have refused
thy request only because thou art the daughter of
my preceptor, and not because thou hast any fault.
Nor hath my preceptor in this respect issued any command.
Curse me if it please thee. I have told thee
what the behaviour should be of a Rishi. I do
not deserve thy curse, O Devayani. But yet thou
hast cursed me! Thou hast acted under the influence
of passion and not from a sense of duty. Therefore,
thy desire will not be fulfilled. No Rishi’s
son shall ever accept thy hand in marriage. Thou
hast said that my knowledge shall not bear fruit.
Let it be so. But in respect of him it shall bear
fruit to whom I may impart it.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’That first of
Brahmanas, Kacha, having said so unto Devayani speedily
wended his way unto the abode of the chief of the
celestials. Beholding him arrived, the celestials
with Indra ahead, having first worshipped him, spoke
unto him as follows, ’Thou hast indeed, performed
an act of great benefit for us. Wonderful hath
been thy achievement! Thy fame shall never die!
Thou shall be a sharer with us in sacrificial offerings.’”

SECTION LXXVIII

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’The dwellers in heaven
became exceedingly glad in welcoming Kacha who had
mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull of
Bharata’s race, the celestials then learnt that
science from Kacha and considered their object already
achieved. And assembling together, they spoke
unto him of a hundred sacrifices, saying, ’The
time hath come for showing prowess. Slay thy
foes, O Purandara!’ And thus addressed, Maghavat,
then accompanied by the celestials, set out, saying,
’So be it.’ But on his way he saw
a number of damsels. These maidens were sporting
in a lake in the gardens of the Gandharva Chitraratha.
Changing himself into wind, he soon mixed up the garments
of those maidens which they had laid on the bank.
A little while after, the maidens, getting up from
the water, approached their garments that had, indeed,
got mixed up with one another. And it so happened
that from the intermingled heap, the garments of Devayani
were appropriated by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan,
from ignorance that it was not hers. And, O king,
thereupon, between them, Devayani and Sarmishtha, then
ensued a dispute. And Devayani said, ’O
daughter of the Asura (chief), why dost thou take
my attire, being, as thou art, my disciple? As
thou art destitute of good behaviour, nothing good
can happen to thee!’ Sarmishtha, however, quickly
replied, ’Thy father occupying a lower seat,
always adoreth with downcast looks, like a hired chanter
of praises, my father, whether he sitteth at his ease
or reclineth at full length! Thou art the daughter
of one that chanteth the praises of others, of one
that accepteth alms. I am the daughter of one
who is adored, of one who bestoweth alms instead of
ever accepting them! Beggar-woman as thou art,
thou art free to strike thy breast, to use ill words,
to vow enmity to me, to give way to thy wrath.
Acceptress of alms, thou weepest tears of anger in
vain! If so minded, I can harm thee, but thou
canst not. Thou desirest to quarrel. But
know thou that I do not reckon thee as my equal!’